Tough Filters

[Mike Farley]

Given that many people like to put filters on their lenses to protect the front element, it is surprising that no one has previously thought to make the filters out of toughened glass.

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/058996 ... illa-glass

Not that Gorilla glass is actually that scratch resistant. It is used for the rear screen of the standard Leica M and some users have reported getting marks on theirs. It is only the Leica M-P, which is essentially the same camera as the less expensive* M model but with a few tweaks, which has the tougher sapphire glass.

* I nearly wrote "cheaper", but somehow that did not seem appropriate.

[Rose]

I recently decided to remove the filters I have always kept on my lenses 'for protection' following an interesting and lengthy discussion thread on DPReview. I routinely use lens hoods now to protect the lens from knocks. Whilst the jury is still out on to what extent - if any - using filters can impact on IQ I was more persuaded by the argument that a broken filter is more likely to damage lens glass than protect it. A filter is not necessary to protect from smudges, grease etc, as lenses have such good coatings on them these days.

[Mike Farley]

I recently decided to remove the filters I have always kept on my lenses 'for protection' following an interesting and lengthy discussion thread on DPReview. I routinely use lens hoods now to protect the lens from knocks. Whilst the jury is still out on to what extent - if any - using filters can impact on IQ I was more persuaded by the argument that a broken filter is more likely to damage lens glass than protect it. A filter is not necessary to protect from smudges, grease etc, as lenses have such good coatings on them these days.

Thanks, Rose, I agree with what you say and no filter is generally my policy as well. In fact, the more expensive the lens, the less likely it is that I will have a filter on it.

[Rose]

If anyone wants a filter I have some going spare...